A blog on politics and education, supporting socialist ideals and equality of opportunity. Against obscene wealth and inequality.

Wednesday, 4 January 2017

Some new year resolutions for Corbyn

Apparently, there are moves to change the Corbyn image in 2017, to make him more
"electable". He is too often accused of lacking leadership qualities, and as a
consequence, the Labour party of lacking clear policies. A possible solution is
for the press to be alerted, using social media, to the fact that policy
statements will be delivered by the leader at certain public events.

Similarly, the party, rather than investing
some of its repleted funds in election gimmicks like pink mini-buses and
Ed-stones, should announce donations to food-banks and to charities for
the homeless, like Crisis. Media coverage of Corbyn and other Labour politicians
will thereby increase, highlighting differences between Labour and the other
parties.

Some suggestions for new year resolutions for
Mr Corbyn:

At a prison where riots have taken place recently,
be seen with your shadow lord chancellor, Shami Chakrabarti, talking to staff
and inmates. Announce policies to reduce prison numbers, and divorce Labour from
the so-called "authoritarian arms race". Be sure to add that you`re leaving that
particular "race" to the rightwing Tory and Ukip parties, who seem to believe
that they appear "tougher" by sending more people to prison.

Not only attend an Arsenal match, allow
yourself to be interviewed, where you state your support for safe-standing areas
at all grounds, and that your government would legislate accordingly. Similarly,
your government would denounce all football clubs which spend millions on
transfers and players` pay-packets, but refuse to pay their regular staff a
living wage.

Be seen at a food-bank, or charity, actively
involved. When interviewed you make the announcement about the Labour party
donating some of its recently accrued "wealth" to good causes, highlighting the
government`s preference for spending on weapons and renovating buildings, rather
than on helping people. Make sure you are always accompanied by the relevant
shadow minister, to show the party`s unity.

Visit a comprehensive school in your
constituency with Angela Rayner, and be seen talking to staff and students.
Here your announcement concerns the party`s opposition to Tory and Ukip support
for grammar schools, explaining that comprehensives do a great job for all
children, not just a small minority. Be sure to say that you are opposed to
secondary moderns, the destination of 80% pupils in areas where selection takes
place. Add that a Labour government would increase the starting salary of
teachers, and alter the current Ofsted inspection process, to ensure stress
levels and workload were reduced.

Make a visit with John McDonnell to HMRC`s
headquarters, where again you chat with staff, and announce that the number of
tax inspectors would be restored under Labour to pre- coalition levels, to get
to grips with tax evasion and avoidance. More staff would ensure the fat cats
were targeted, not just small businesses. Stress how your government (say this
often; it will sound as though you mean it, and it`s probably
"prime-ministerial"!) would make tax avoidance and evasion punishable crimes.
Additional staffing costs will be met by the increased revenue collected. On the
same visit, emphasise the income tax changes benefiting the low-paid, and making
the wealthy pay their fair share, which you will introduce. The Laffer cirve,
you will say, is a myth invented by the rich to keep their taxes
low.

Be seen buying a round in a pub. Here you
point out the social usefulness of pubs, especially for the lonely. Far better
to be able to sit in company rather than buying alcohol in supermarkets, and
drinking alone, at home. With this in mind, you will announce that your
government will change VAT rules relating to food and drink.

On a well-publicised visit to a care home, be
visible helping the staff deal with their patients. Here the relevant
announcements about zero-hours contracts and the minimum wage can be made, and
how your changes to income and corporation tax will keep the NHS safe from
predators, and increase pay for carers. You must stress how yours would be a
"caring government".

At a building site visit, in your hard hat,
you will say that trade unions are vital for the country`s future, and that your
government will not bow down to CBI pressure, but will insist all companies must
recognise the rights of trade unions at the workplace. You will add that when
you say that workers` representatives will be on the boards of all large
businesses, you mean it!

I hope these help; you`ve got my vote, but
it looks like you have a job on your hands to persuade a few more.